Monday, May 14, 2012

GBBD May 2012: Mexican Hat Wildflowers

For Garden Blogger's Bloom Day (GBBD) May 2012 I'm featuring Mexican Hat (Ratibida columnifera) wildflowers.  These common wildflowers here in south central Texas are currently blooming in my back yard.  With their high rounded crowns, it's easy to see why they are commonly known as Mexican Hats.  A striking color combination of gold and red.


The color pattern of the flowers on this plant are quite different from the others


Wildflowers are the best flowers for this sunny, rocky slope where little else will reliably grow.


For several years we've been collecting seeds from neglected and undeveloped commercial spots around the edges of our neighborhood and scattering them in the toughest part of the yard to create a wildflower meadow in this existing patch of buffalo grass.


That effort is beginning to pay off with blooms like these.


Join Carol of May Dreams Gardens and bloggers from around the world as we celebrate what's blooming in our gardens on the 15th of each month.
Posted by at 8:18 PM
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15 comments:

  1. greggoMay 14, 2012 at 9:34 PM

    Tough plant. We actually have a areas where they grow in the prairie in Kansas. Always enjoyed "hat".

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    1. RohrerbotMay 14, 2012 at 11:19 PM

      Looks like a great plant to have around. I've never seen them before and they DO look like Mexican hats. Fun:)

      Delete
    2. Shirley FoxMay 16, 2012 at 4:25 PM

      They are fun and tough natives.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousMay 15, 2012 at 2:45 AM

    I'm delighted to see this plant. In my search for tough plants this one came up as a possible. So I bought some seed (probably garden origin, it germinated easily and I have 60 plants waiting to go in the garden. I know 60 is excessive for an experiment, but I didn't expect them all to germinate! I hope they survive, but even if they flower once it will be worth it!

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    1. Shirley FoxMay 16, 2012 at 4:23 PM

      They are definitely tough and I'd love to see the blooms on your rocky island.

      Delete
  3. Lucy AbbottMay 15, 2012 at 6:45 AM

    Very Nice! I love Mexican Hat! It is so wonderful the way to moves with the breeze. One of my favorite Texas wildflowers! Happy GBBD!

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    1. Shirley FoxMay 16, 2012 at 4:36 PM

      They sway in the slightest of breeze which made taking photos of them an interesting challenge.

      Delete
  4. XericstyleMay 15, 2012 at 10:45 AM

    So pretty Shirley - I really like that you have different kinds of Mexican hat colors! Neato!
    I am wishing I took pictures yesterday for my first GBBD....it is POURING over here by the airport....I mean pouring! Good for the garden though. Have a great GBBD :)

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    1. Shirley FoxMay 16, 2012 at 4:27 PM

      I do take photos a day or two early most of the time, usually so I can get the best light.

      Delete
  5. Linda/patchworkMay 15, 2012 at 12:04 PM

    This is one of the few wildflowers we have here. I'm thinking it's because the deer eat all the others.
    We have three different 'styles' of hats. I love them all.

    Happy Bloomday...

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    1. Shirley FoxMay 16, 2012 at 4:28 PM

      I need to go searching for different ones so I can have them all in the yard. The deer ignore them.

      Delete
  6. CrystalMay 15, 2012 at 4:03 PM

    In the UK this is grown as a hardy annual garden plant. Never thought of it as a wildflower before. Happy GBBD.

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    1. Shirley FoxMay 16, 2012 at 4:35 PM

      It's a native wildflower here and is commonly found in the toughest of locations like the utility easement behind my house.

      Delete
  7. LeaMay 17, 2012 at 4:40 AM

    I had Mexican Hats one year from a packet of mixed wildflowers.
    Beautiful, unusual blooms!
    Happy gardening!
    Lea
    Lea's Menagerie

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    Replies
    1. Shirley FoxMay 20, 2012 at 11:19 AM

      Thanks for stopping by Lea, your blog is lovely and I enjoyed reading it.

      Delete

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